Shaun Clark, who served with the 8th Battalion Light Infantry Regiment from 1989 to 1996, is set to spend five hours in the tattooist's chair on Armistice Day tomorrow.

The 43-year-old said: "It's going to be painful business but it's nothing compared to what the troops are going through every single day on the front line."

The father-of-two from Doncaster hopes his challenge will raise £500 for the charity Help for Heroes.

He added: "I know it's a bit extreme covering the top half of your body front and back with 223 names, but it's my way of honouring all those men and women and it'll be there as a memorial for as long as I live."

Tattoo artist Kevin Kent said: "We're going to start just as the two minute silence begins at 11am on Wednesday, and I've told Shaun that's it's going to be a slow and painful process."

Mr Kent, who is giving his services free of charge, also plans to update the list of names each year if necessary.